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Cream Cheese Festival to Return to Downtown Lowville
September 17th
Published: September 05, 2022
at 03:30 p.m.
By: Media Release from Cream Cheese Festival
Committee
Cream Cheese Festival to return to Downtown Lowville
September 17th
LOWVILLE, N.Y. — The annual Cream Cheese Festival will return to
historic downtown Lowville, in the heart of Lewis County, Saturday, Sept.
17. The free admission event — which will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. —
celebrates Lowville being home to the nation’s largest cream cheese plant,
Kraft Heinz, which produces Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
Lowville native Beth Hall, co-host of 7News This Morning on WWNY-TV-7 and
FOX 28, will again serve as emcee for this year’s event, kicking off
festivities from the Main Stage on North State Street. Musical
entertainment for that stage, coordinated by Jasyn
Griffin, will again begin this year starting at 11 a.m. Opening ceremonies
at the Main Stage will officially kick things off at 12 p.m.
Festival chairman Jeremiah S. Papineau said the committee is looking
forward to the return of this highly-anticipated
event, especially as the world continues to navigate its way toward the end
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we had to cancel our event two years ago, it saddened us, but we
understood,” said Mr. Papineau. “When we brought the festival back last
year, it was great to see the enthusiasm for this event was still there.
We’re still continuing to do our best to host an
event that’s both fun for those attending and done in a responsible way,
given COVID still being a reality.”
This year will mark the return of the traditional giant cheesecake created
by Kraft Heinz. Last year, Kraft Heinz devised a solution for offering free
cheesecake in a more convenient and pandemic-friendly way, providing
single-serve Philadelphia Cheesecake cups.
“We were excited last year when Kraft Heinz shared the news
they would provide this alternative instead of scrapping the giant
cheesecake altogether,” said Mr. Papineau. “It was a new product they launched and it was a hit with the crowd.”
“However, when discussing plans for this year, we were excited to learn the
giant cheesecake will be back,” Mr. Papineau added.
Nick Turnbull, plant manager for the Kraft Heinz facility in Lowville,
stated he was proud to announce the return of the giant cheesecake.
“We are excited for this staple within the community to finally return, and
we look forward to seeing everyone on Sept. 17,” he said in a statement.
The giant cheesecake will be unveiled at the Lowville Fire Hall across from
the Main Stage during opening ceremonies.
In addition to entertainment at the Main Stage on North State Street,
musical entertainment will be offered at the Veterans Stage next to
American Legion Post 162 on Parkway Drive.
“Jasyn has worked on another great line-up for
both stages, offering something for everyone,” said Mr. Papineau.
This year’s event will again include delicious food, great entertainment, a
wide array of vendors, the traditional recipe contest, and the Children’s
Discovery Park, featuring attractions by Adventures in Climbing in Veterans
Memorial Park along Parkway Drive. Admission to the Children’s Discovery
Park, at a cost of $5 per child, gives children and an accompanying adult
access to attractions all day and choice of popcorn, cotton candy or
snow-cone for the child.
“We’re looking forward to another great year of the festival,” said Mr.
Papineau. “We have an amazing committee – all of whom volunteer countless
hours of their time to make this event happen. We’re very fortunate to have
them to carry on this tradition of offering a family-friendly event here in
Lewis County.”
Last year’s event required modifications to address the COVID-19 pandemic,
which included not featuring its usual wacky contests. This year, due to a
lack of a games coordinator, the festival will
also not include contests.
“While it saddens us to not be able to offer this attraction at the
festival as we’ve done in the past, it’s the unfortunate reality that comes
with this being an entirely volunteer-run festival,” said Mr. Papineau.
Despite this, Mr. Papineau said he believes people will continue to turn
out for the vendors, entertainment, food, the Children’s Discovery Park
and, of course, cheesecake.
RECIPE CONTEST DETAILS
One
of the most popular events at the festival is its annual recipe contest.
Those wishing to participate may pick up six free packages of Philadelphia
Cream Cheese at the Lowville Kraft Heinz facility, 7388 Utica Blvd.,
Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Thursday, Sept. 15, from 12 to 4 p.m. both days.
Those picking up cream cheese from the local Kraft Heinz facility must
furnish a copy of their recipe upon pick-up.
Entries will be judged based on presentation, creativity
and taste. Points in the judging are weighted – the most points are awarded
for the taste component, the next highest points are awarded in creativity,
and the fewest points are awarded for presentation.
Entries must be delivered to the recipe contest booth located inside the
Lowville Fire Hall between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Parking is
available in the Lowville Free Library lot during drop-off hours, with
access to the fire hall available via the rear entry doorway on Parkway
Drive.
Displays are limited to a 2 ft. by 2 ft. area on the table and only the
registration number should be visible on an entry. Electrical outlets will
be available.
In addition, all entries must be prepared with Philadelphia Cream Cheese
and any recipe submitted becomes the property of Kraft Heinz.
Entries must be picked up by 2 p.m. the day of the contest. Kraft Heinz is
not responsible for any dish not picked up that day.
This year’s contest will have both dessert and non-dessert categories with
cash prizes awarded.
Those wishing to register for the recipe contest must send an email in
advance to the Cream Cheese Festival Committee to creamcheesefestival@gmail.com or
call 315-748-6361.
SOME
BACKGROUND & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Cream Cheese Festival has attracted much attention since its
inception in 2005. The popular travel website TripAdvisor listed the Cream
Cheese Festival as one of the top 10 wackiest summer festivals in 2011 and
2012. It has also received similar designation from The Weather Channel.
The event has brought much attention to Lewis County and brought many people
to the region, helping the local economy if even one day a year.
In 2013, Lowville was recognized as home of the World’s Largest Cheesecake
by Guinness World Records. That year, the festival welcomed a
representative from Guinness World Records who certified the cheesecake
made by the plant on Utica Boulevard was indeed the world’s largest. The
massive creation weighed in at 6,900 pounds — more than 2,000 pounds
heavier than the prior mark of 4,703 set in 2009 by a Kraft Foods plant in
the country of Mexico.
Over the years, the festival has expanded from downtown North State Street
to Parkway Drive and over to American Legion Post 162, which has taken on a
larger role in working with the festival each year. In fact, in addition to
the Main Stage on North State Street during the festival, the American
Legion hosts its own entertainment that day on the Veterans Stage, also
coordinated by Jasyn Griffin.
Each year, through the coordination of American Legion Post 162 Commander
C. Lee Hinkleman, soldiers from the 10th Mountain
Division volunteer in great numbers.
“We are extremely grateful each year for their volunteering and look
forward to having them back again this year,” said Mr. Papineau. “Their
help demonstrates their commitment to the community they live in and we’re
very happy to have them here.”
Mr. Papineau added volunteers are always needed for this event and those
interested should reach out via email to the Cream Cheese Festival
Committee.
Parking will be available for the festival at Tops Plaza and the Lewis
County Fairgrounds with free shuttle service through support from Birnie Bus and Lewis County Public Transportation.
Donations will be accepted.
Motorists should take note Parkway Drive and North State Street, from the
main intersection at Dayan Street and Shady Avenue to Bostwick Street, will
be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, to accommodate
the festival. During that time, motorists will be directed to a detour
route.
Platinum sponsors this year include Kraft Heinz, United HealthCare, WWNY
7News/Fox28/MeTV, the Lewis County Agricultural
Society, the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, the Lowville Business Association and the Village of Lowville.
For more
information about the Cream Cheese Festival or if you would like to volunteer
at the event, visit www.creamcheesefestival.com or contact committee
chairman Jeremiah S. Papineau via email at creamcheesefestival@gmail.com or
call 315-748-6361 and leave a message.
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